held up in mid-division, prominent 5th, chased leaders 11th, went 2nd on bit 14th, challenged and led 4 out, pushed clear approaching 2 out, eased flat
held up in touch, lost place 7th, pulled up before 13th
chased leader, led approaching 10th, ridden and headed 4 out, no extra from 3 out
prominent, lost touch 7th, took poor 3rd 3 out, no impression
led, mistake 8th, headed 10th, ridden 12th, weakened 13th
Only four runners here but a tight call nonetheless, with Julie's Leader taken to give weight away to Sylphide and The Sawdust Kid. Julie's Leader needs around a month between his races according to trainer Paul Nicholls who has timed it just about right with the nine-year-old. A winner of three of his last four outings, he has made the step up from claiming class so is obviously thriving at present. There was no disgrace in finishing second to in-form Pure Fun over hurdles last time, and back over the bigger obstacles, he can get back to winning ways. Sylphide gets weight from the selection so can prove troublesome. John Manners' charge is a course and distance winner, virtue of a surprise victory a week ago. She has been around the point-to-point circuit but can continue to progress. The Sawdust Kid went off the boil after a purple patch last autumn, but has shown signs of a revival of late and can also make his presence felt. Rosdari looks outclassed and all in all Julie's Leader is the percentage call.
